Every spring members of Gilda’s Club Rochester (GCR), a Cancer Support Community on Alexander Street, walk the runway to raise much needed funds. GCR is a place for men, women, teens and children to attend support groups, art classes, social events and just find friendship throughout the cancer journey. Some members have cancer while others are there to find support while they care for a loved one with cancer.

The Surviving in Style Fashion Show gives these members a chance to give back to GCR and it also gives cancer survivors a chance to recognize an important person in their life. The survivors nominate a special caregiver to walk with them: a spouse, parent, doctor, nurse, child or very close friend. Each of them share a special story while they walk down the runway. Last Sunday I heard very familiar stories as the models strutted their stuff down the catwalk. I used to be a staff member at GCR and tears came to my eyes as I saw old friends healthy and smiling.

Throughout my years volunteering and working at Gilda’s I heard stories of many genres. Yes there were a few tragedies, but the love stories and stories of survival were far more prevalent and will stay with me forever.

The woman who stayed by her husband through not one, but three different cancer diagnoses

The man who kisses his wife good morning every day

The sister who wasn’t afraid to love her brother

The daughter who holds her mothers hand and tells her to stay strong

The mother who walks proudly next to her beautiful, brave, bald daughter

One thing is for sure, I will be at this event again next year! The members of GCR surely are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action and sustained by community.

It is truly remarkable, then, that Jenny Allen was able to take her own life threatening diagnosis and transform it into the performance I Got Sick Then I Got Better. From what I can tell, it seems pretty much guaranteed to make you laugh while simultaneously pulling at your heartstrings.

Even better, by attending the show you can help individuals who are currently going through the tumultuous journey of a cancer diagnosis. Mention the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge Hospitality House when purchasing tickets, and Geva Theatre will donate $3 back to this facility. The Hope Lodge Hospitality House, where – full disclosure – I work one weekend a month, is a home away from home for cancer patients and their loved ones. It is a free place to stay when you are trying to cope with a life altering disease that doesn’t discriminate based on your income.

The show is only being performed from March 7th – 11th so be sure to get your tickets now. This isn’t available through the Box Office, so please call Colleen Brown Monday – Friday at 585-232-1366 ext. 3057 and mention the Hope Lodge!

Every year, thousands of people of all ages are diagnosed with leukemia and other life-threatening diseases. Many of them will die unless they get a bone marrow or cord blood transplant from a matching donor. Seventy percent of people do not have a donor in their family and depend on the Be The Match Registry to find a match to save their life.

Last year one of my best friends, Sarah Strause, approached me and said her mother, Pok Strause, had been diagnosed with Myelodysplatic Syndrome (MDS), a blood cancer. If she did not find a bone marrow donor, her chances of surviving were not good. Her only chance for a match was the Be the Match Registry. Since Pok is of Korean descent, she had an estimated 73% likelihood of finding a donor.

Pok Strause

It was because of the selfless act of a healthy male from Chicago, Pok was able to receive her transplant in July of this year. Sarah says, “Having the life of a loved one saved by the kindness of a stranger is a powerful and humbling experience. Someone I have never met from a different part of the country has given my family hope for the future.”

Sarah and her family wish to give this hope to others by hosting a bone marrow drive. A goal of the drive being to engage minority populations in the Rochester area to join the registry. Less than 30% of current registrants are of Hispanic, Asian, African-American or Native American descent.

The Matchmaker, a unique happy hour that will give Rochester residents a chance to join the bone marrow registry and donate to the cause, will be held on Thursday, September 15th from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Lovin’ Cup, 300 Park Point Drive; Henrietta, NY. There will be drink and appetizer specials and door prizes!

The Strause Family hopes to see you on September 15th!

For every thirty people that join the registry, one life is saved. They hope to save at least three lives next Thursday. Can you help?

I am in the registry, but I will be there to show my support. For more information on The Matchmaker, contact me: 315.778.8876 or kayleigh.nutting@gmail.com

This marks my first official D&C blog post. Luckily, this first post is kind of a “gimme”.
Frankly, I just hadto write about an incredible example of community.

What defines community? Sure, anyone could throw down a smattering of adjectives to describe what “community” is. Yet, true examples of community take our breath away.

Such is the case with a group of students from Greece Athena and their incredible teacher, Ian Gupton.

Last year a student in their school was enduring a difficult battle with cancer. They did something more than just reach out. They created a fundraiser with a message reaching well beyond the average raffle or bake sale.

Students and their fearless faculty advisor wrote, produced, and performed a play featuring a teenage girl with cancer as its central character. That night as they took the stage, I sat in the sold-out audience absolutely spellbound. Members of our Teens Living with Cancer (TLC) program (of which I serve as program coordinator) gave their applause with tears in their eyes. The journey portrayed hit very close to home for so many of us watching. There was hardly a dry eye to be found in the packed auditorium.

Cast, crew, parents and volunteers had all stitched together their dedication into a knock-your-socks-off performance. The story’s rich and poignant message was only heightened by a realization– that this labor of love was all sparked by a desire to make a difference.

Such an intense work of creativity surely couldn’t happen again, right? Not so.

THIS Friday night the self-dubbed Dream Team (joined by other students from the entire Greece School District) will bring that magic back to the stage. This year’s production- “Elpida: The Legacy of A Hero” charges forward with more of that same spirit of community. This year its cast will include two of our TLC members, teen cancer survivors Bryn Mugnolo and Victoria Fortunato and the original music of another, Nadine Dyskant-Miller.

It’s really come full circle.

Just a few of the students who planned Elpida

Hero. It’s a word we hear a lot. I don’t like to throw that word around lightly. However, collectively I think this group gets a hero badge. They are heroes because they knew what this endeavor would involve…and forged ahead anyway- together as a team.

These students have worked so tirelessly for months…and have given so much of themselves. Almost 100 of them in total.

Think about what you did on your spring break when you were in high school. Then imagine students who used their entire vacation (practically sun-up to sun-down) every day to see their vision through to reality. It takes something special to spark something like this. It takes a community.

Any plans Friday night (7pm)?

Maybe you’ll buy a ticket to Elpida at Athena Performing Arts Center and see what I mean…

*Proceeds from this year’s performance benefit:
the Teens Living with Cancer program of Melissa’s Living Legacy and CURE Childhood Cancer Association

Most people are familiar with Relay for Life, the signature fundraiser of the American Cancer Society, but in my experience few are familiar with all of the additional programs that they run. ACS provides a free place to stay at the Hope Lodge while you or your loved one are going through treatment, teaches women with cancer to apply makeup as their skin changes throughout treatment, and provides access to an endless supply of information at any time of day, amongst numerous other programs.

This Wednesday, March 16th, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. the Rochester American Cancer Society is hosting an event for Young Professionals to come and learn about the various programs and services offered here in Rochester, as well as ways that individuals can get involved in our community.

The “Sweet Social Dessert Tasting” will feature desserts from Ben & Jerry’s, Hedonist Artisan Chocolates, The Cheesecake Factory, and the Incredibly Edible Cookie Company, and beverages from Eastway Liquor and Century Liquor & Wines. At each dessert station, you’ll be able to have a treat and talk to a staff member about a different program area.

The event will take place throughout the Hope Lodge Hospitality House, a home away from home where cancer patients and caregivers can stay during treatment, which is located on the grounds of the Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School at 1120 S. Goodman Street.

Log in to check out the event’s facebook page here. Hope to see you there!

The Rochester's Young Professionals blog is the place to look for the latest updates on the young professionals scene in Rochester, from career advice to networking events.

Contributors

Kate McGowan is a former Rochester television news reporter now working in the non-profit sector for the nation’s leading children’s charity, Make-A-Wish. She is passionate about inspiring young professionals to use their talents in becoming more actively involved in their communities. Follow her on Twitter at @KateMcGowan

Toni Lynn Arena: I am a digital media specialist by day and a fitness loving, animal activist by night. When I'm not working on self-improvement inside and out, I work with other philanthropists to build awareness within the young professional community and help make a difference.

Andrea Raethka earned a bachelor's in History, Sociology and Women's Studies from the College of Brockport. She is a mother of three young children and is always up for exploring new places for kiddie play dates. She enjoys good food, local shopping and keeping up to date on news, politics and public school issues. Find Andrea on Twitter: @Mango1531.

Ashley Dewey is an internet marketing blogger from Victor who shares thoughts about life and pets.

Audrey Burns is a reader, writer and full-time nostalgist who writes about cultural and social issues in Rochester.

Cynthia Pacia shares thoughts about giving and living in the Rochester area.

Eastman Young Professionals share the latest happenings at George Eastman House.

Habitat for Humanity Young Professionals share life and non-profit experiences, and their journey within Rochester’s changing landscape.

Jason Schwingle is a native of Rochester. He shares his thoughts and ideas on bringing young professionals back to Rochester and to downtown.

Jenna Kempie is the Social Media Chair for the Rochester Young Professionals, and is contributing posts on RYP activities and other helpful insights for young professionals in the community. Jenna enjoys getting out and exploring the area, and talking to people about their Rochester experiences, print and technology - on and offline. Follow Jenna on Twitter: @JennaKempie

Jennifer Galvez Caton is an active arts volunteer who shares her passion and perspective on theater, film, dance and music with young professionals in the Rochester area.

Jerome Nathaniel is a 2011 graduate of the University of Rochester, where he was an executive editor for the Campus Times and a service fellow with the Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence. Now, the Brooklyn native has returned to Rochester as an Americorp Vista at Foodlink, where he's serving as a hunger advocate.

Kayleigh Nutting is a non-profit professional that came to Rochester for college and never left. She is a graduate student and works full time planning special events and fundraising. Follow her as she writes about kicking back, giving back and appreciating the Flower City.

Kristine Caronna, a young professional blogger from Greece, shares her thoughts and updates.

Leah Shearer is a young professional and two-time cancer survivor from Rochester. She shares her unique perspective on all things - the serious, the silly and everything in between.

Luticha Doucette is a student researcher, activist and humanist who sees the world from a seated position. She chronicles life as a disable person seeking a PhD. position in biophysics at Yale or John Hopkins universities, and beyond.

Maria Thomas is the chair of RocCity Coalition, who is passionate about education and the needs of city youth. She writes about various opportunities for young professionals to get involved in the community.

Olga Podzorov is an agent with Nothnagle Realtors. She is a community activist and passionate philanthropist who is committed to working with young professionals. She covers a variety of real estate issues.

Ruth Harper-Rhode, a St. Bonaventure University graduate, does public relations for a local nonprofit. She moved to Rochester from a small city in 2011 and lived on Park Ave before moving to Penfield, where she currently resides.

Terra Keller sends updates from the staff at Foodlink, a popular regional food bank.

Stefanie Schwingle is a Rochester native and has worked at Wegmans Corporation for the past 10 years, but her interests lie in entrepreneurship and communication and her passions include urban living, photography, and cooking. Stefanie lives downtown with her husband and loves everyday life in the city.

Taren Greenidge earned her B.A. in Economics and Political Science, cum laude, in 2007 from Spelman College and her J.D. from Duke University School of Law in 2010. She is an associate at Littler Mendelson, P.C, a U.S.-based international law firm exclusively devoted to representing management in every aspect of labor and employment law. Taren is the president of the Black Young Professionals of Rochester, an auxiliary of the Urban League of Rochester, N.Y., Inc., which targets individuals ages 21 through 40 to foster growth and professional development, to empower members to achieve success and to strive to improve the community.